IN LOVING MEMORY OF
George A.
Russell
July 12, 1921 – December 27, 2016
Obituary
George "Bullet" Russell, 95, of Lee's Summit, MO, passed away at his home in John Knox Village, on Tuesday, December 27, 2016.
George "Bullet" Russell was born July 12, 1921 in Bertrand, MO. He was a 1938 graduate of Sikeston High School where after he enlisted in the Navy and went on to officer training and received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Pennsylvania. He then received his Master's degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and then his PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Illinois. Dr. Russell rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander having served in World War II. Following his 20 year naval career, Dr. Russell taught physics at Southern Illinois University and then went into administration at the University of Illinois becoming Dean of the Physics School and then Vice- Chancellor for research. In 1977 Dr. Russell was appointed Chancellor of UMKC by the Missouri curators where he served for 14 years. In 1991 he was appointed the top position as President of the University of Missouri system at Columbia and retired in 1996. Dr. Russell traveled the globe with his wife Ruth Ann in his various positions in his distinguished 60 year career developing friendships across many cultural backgrounds and was held in the highest esteem. His family, friends and colleagues admired Dr. Russell for his service in education and the community and he will go down in history as one of Missouri's finest leaders.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Ann (Ashby) Russell; parents, George and Martha (Cramer) Russell; two sisters; and a brother.
Survivors include his 4 children, George (Tricia) Russell, III, of Macomb, IL, Frank (Linda) Russell, of South Lake, TX, Ruth (Darrell) Vaughn, of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Andy (DeAun) Russell, of Lee's Summit, MO; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends may assemble for graveside services, at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 2, 2016, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston, Mo. The Rev. J. Robert Webster, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, will officiate. Full military honors will be provided by the United States Navy and The Missouri Military Honors Program.
Interment will follow under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lee's Summit Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1393, Lee's Summit, MO 64063.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com
George "Bullet" Russell was born July 12, 1921 in Bertrand, MO. He was a 1938 graduate of Sikeston High School where after he enlisted in the Navy and went on to officer training and received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Pennsylvania. He then received his Master's degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and then his PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Illinois. Dr. Russell rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander having served in World War II. Following his 20 year naval career, Dr. Russell taught physics at Southern Illinois University and then went into administration at the University of Illinois becoming Dean of the Physics School and then Vice- Chancellor for research. In 1977 Dr. Russell was appointed Chancellor of UMKC by the Missouri curators where he served for 14 years. In 1991 he was appointed the top position as President of the University of Missouri system at Columbia and retired in 1996. Dr. Russell traveled the globe with his wife Ruth Ann in his various positions in his distinguished 60 year career developing friendships across many cultural backgrounds and was held in the highest esteem. His family, friends and colleagues admired Dr. Russell for his service in education and the community and he will go down in history as one of Missouri's finest leaders.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Ann (Ashby) Russell; parents, George and Martha (Cramer) Russell; two sisters; and a brother.
Survivors include his 4 children, George (Tricia) Russell, III, of Macomb, IL, Frank (Linda) Russell, of South Lake, TX, Ruth (Darrell) Vaughn, of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Andy (DeAun) Russell, of Lee's Summit, MO; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends may assemble for graveside services, at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 2, 2016, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston, Mo. The Rev. J. Robert Webster, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, will officiate. Full military honors will be provided by the United States Navy and The Missouri Military Honors Program.
Interment will follow under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lee's Summit Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1393, Lee's Summit, MO 64063.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. George A. Russell, please visit our flower store.
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